Brother & Sister Conquer First Ironman
30sInspiring sibling bond and first-time achievement resonates with viewers seeking motivation.
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In this short interview, a brother and sister share their experience completing their first Ironman triathlon. They discuss their backgrounds, race times, costs, and offer practical tips for beginners.
Chapters
[00:00]
Introductions
Michael Paxton, 22, and Elizabeth Paxton, 27, from Simi Valley, California. They are siblings.
[00:05]
First Triathlon
This was their first ever triathlon, not just Ironman. They enjoyed the shared experience and common ground.
[00:15]
Hardest Part
Michael found the run hardest; Elizabeth was most nervous about the swim. Overall, both found the run challenging.
[00:25]
Race Times
Michael finished in about 6 hours 6 minutes, Elizabeth in about 6 hours 30 minutes.
[00:35]
Occupations
Michael is a student at Illinois Tech; Elizabeth is a business intelligence lead in agriculture.
[00:45]
Training Balance
They trained with early mornings and late nights to balance work/study.
[00:55]
Costs
Michael spent about $2,000 using an old road bike and a $40 wetsuit. Elizabeth spent about $2,500–3,000, including a run coach and swim lessons.
[01:05]
Top Tip
Swim the course beforehand to reduce nerves.
[01:10]
Final Verdict
Both agreed it was absolutely worth it.
The Paxton siblings successfully completed their first Ironman with smart preparation and a positive mindset, proving that with early mornings and smart investments, anyone can take on this challenge.
Mentioned in this Video
Study Flashcards (5)
What were the approximate finish times of Michael and Elizabeth Paxton in their first Ironman?
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What were the approximate finish times of Michael and Elizabeth Paxton in their first Ironman?
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Michael finished in about 6 hours 6 minutes, Elizabeth in about 6 hours 30 minutes.
00:25
What was the hardest part of the race for Michael?
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What was the hardest part of the race for Michael?
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The run.
00:15
What tip did Elizabeth give to reduce swim nerves?
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What tip did Elizabeth give to reduce swim nerves?
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Swim the course beforehand.
01:05
How much did Michael spend on his first Ironman?
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How much did Michael spend on his first Ironman?
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Approximately $2,000.
00:55
What is Elizabeth's occupation?
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What is Elizabeth's occupation?
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Business intelligence lead in agriculture.
00:35
💡 Key Takeaways
💡
Sibling Bonding Through Triathlon
Highlights how shared athletic goals can strengthen relationships.
00:05
📊
Cost Breakdown
Provides realistic cost expectations for budget-conscious beginners.
00:55
🔧
Swim the Course
Actionable tip that directly addresses a common fear in triathlons.
01:05
💬
Worth It
Strong emotional payoff reinforcing the value of challenging goals.
01:10Full Transcript
What's your name, age, and where are you guys from? >> Michael Paxton, 22, in Simi Valley, California. >> I'm Elizabeth Paxton, I'm 27, also from Simi Valley. >> So, you guys are brother and sister? >> Yeah. Okay, and is this your guys' first ever Iron Man? >> First ever triathlon. >> Any advice for siblings that want to do a triathlon together? >> It was a fun experience doing it together, and you know, we could find common
ground, both have something to talk about all the time, and we're getting better every single day, so that was really awesome. >> What was the hardest part for you guys throughout the race? The bike, the run, or the swim? >> for me. >> Probably the run, but I was most nervous about the swim. So, what was your guys' time? >> Got like a 6 and 1/2 overall. >> I was a 6:06, I think, overall. >> And
what do you guys do for work? >> I am a student right now. >> you go? >> Illinois Tech, down in Chicago. I'm a business intelligence lead in agriculture. >> So, how did you guys balance that with training? >> Early mornings, late nights. >> To actually compete in an Iron Man, what should people expect to kind of pay for an event like this? I kind of did it cheap, I was using a really old road bike.
I probably still put 2 grand into it. I bought a $40 dry suit, and everything else, but between entry fees and training fees, and I hired a run coach, and it was awesome, and also took some swimming lessons, and stuff like that. >> Probably about 2 and 1/2, 3 into it, but most of the stuff I'm planning to use again, so it was worth it. >> Can you share your biggest tips for any beginner triathlon athletes?
>> Get someone to go swim the course with you beforehand. >> Takes a lot of the nerves out of it. >> Was it worth it? >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely, yep.
